Four cells: definite one-run batteries for top racers at top races, careful battery management needed for runtime, no longer a matter of just going to the shop to get the best batteries off the shelf as with six cells.

What happened to motor limits? Why restrict batteries, just restrict the motors.

The reason the batteries are losing runtime is because they are being dumped on the track. If you dump these cells excessively at the end of the run you will kill the pack. We tell all our drivers to pull it off when it starts to dump. Of course, if you are in a race you need to do whatever it takes to finish. However, in practice, when the pack really flattens out, pull it off. This is not exclusive to 4 cells. It also happens with 6 cells, too.

Four cells: definite one-run batteries for top racers at top races, careful battery management needed for runtime, no longer a matter of just going to the shop to get the best batteries off the shelf as with six cells.

What happened to motor limits? Why restrict batteries, just restrict the motors.

If you don't dump the pack hard on the track you can definately run the pack many runs. It has nothing to do with the packs being 4 cells. It all about not dumping the packs hard on the track. The key to keep this from happening is car setup and motor setup.

The same thing can happen in 6 cells but hasn't yet happened as the motors have not been able to be tweaked enough to make the packs dump. Last I heard motor builder/tuners have been able to use up more battery power so dumping can become an issue.

I personally think 4 cell is a step forward. After all 4 cell 12th scale has been around for a long time and they could easily dump each run but the fast guys are making sure to manage there packs by using a bit less horsepower or simply not driving as hard.

If you don't dump the pack hard on the track you can definately run the pack many runs. It has nothing to do with the packs being 4 cells. It all about not dumping the packs hard on the track. The key to keep this from happening is car setup and motor setup.

The same thing can happen in 6 cells but hasn't yet happened as the motors have not been able to be tweaked enough to make the packs dump. Last I heard motor builder/tuners have been able to use up more battery power so dumping can become an issue.

I personally think 4 cell is a step forward. After all 4 cell 12th scale has been around for a long time and they could easily dump each run but the fast guys are making sure to manage there packs by using a bit less horsepower or simply not driving as hard.

Four cells: definite one-run batteries for top racers at top races, careful battery management needed for runtime, no longer a matter of just going to the shop to get the best batteries off the shelf as with six cells.

Yep, don't wanna go through that crap again. People would have dozens of packs, new pack goes from one run in a main, to one run in qualifier to a run or two in practice then the trash.

A pack should last a season, minimum, no matter what. If motor turn reduction, current limiters, whatever, are required, then so be it.

Yep, don't wanna go through that crap again. People would have dozens of packs, new pack goes from one run in a main, to one run in qualifier to a run or two in practice then the trash.

A pack should last a season, minimum, no matter what. If motor turn reduction, current limiters, whatever, are required, then so be it.

ddesros2, do you run open modified at club races regularly? If you do, and you are on pace with the fast guys your packs are getting wiped out just as fast right now running 6 cells. On top of that you are unsoldering winds, or throwing winds, or shutting down your BL speedo.

I'm surprised no one who was there has mentioned the tires (if they have I've missed it on the last couple of pages) - apparently the best tires to have were from a batch made in 2001, only certain drivers (the top 3) had a really good supply of these and were able to push hard every time they were on the track.

So:
over a month straight of testing
perfectly molded, impossible to find tires (used for one run)
one-run batteries (well at least they weren't one-run motors)
track layout hasn't changed in 10 years

You could guess that world champs from previous visits to Yatabe would be in the top 3, eh?

I don't see why non-Japanese drivers even go to the Nats, it's just a waste of money. The JMRCA AGM is supposed to be coming up, hopefuly they change things to spec tires and figure out what they're doing for batteries. I don't see how the Japanese RC market can welcome new drivers to the hobby when these types of stories dominate the biggest races in the country. It's only supposed to be LIKE Formula 1, not ACTUALLY Formula 1.

what amazed me is that, how the heck did they found out the 2001 batch works?!

what amazed me is that, how the heck did they found out the 2001 batch works?!

One word: Masami

He is the tire master. He spends more time obsessing on tires than anyone. In South Africa he had at least 1 car hauler bag full of metal tins containing various traction compounds. I am sure he has tested them all at one time or another.